SAT Subject Tests: Physics or Math Level 2?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Okay so I'm a rising senior, and I haven't taken any subject tests thus far, but I'm planning on taking two in October. I know I'm definitely taking US History (I took APUSH last year, the only AP class my school offered for juniors) but I'm totally unsure of which other one to take. I'm better at the humanities, but I know that I need to take a science/math to have a chance at top tier schools. Basically I have two choices:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Take the Physics test. I was in an Honors Physics class last year, but my teacher DEFINITELY was not the best (eccentric 80-something year old man). And plus, I just don't get physics. I've been preparing for this test for the last couple of weeks with the Princeton Review book, and I'm understanding it a little more than I did during the school year, but I still am just totally uncomfortable with the subject. I took a peek at the practice test in the Official College Board book, trying to answer questions from topics I've covered, and I get the majority of them wrong, and I'm just like W T F. Plus, I'm taking AP Bio this year, and idk if i'll have time to review all the topics before the test on october 1st. But still I feel like i have a better shot at doing well on this test.</p></li>
<li><p>Take the Math level 2. The highest level of math I've taken at my school was Algebra 2/Trigonometry last year, and i did pretty well in it (98-ish average, 92 on the NY state exam). But I was looking at some practice tests, and it seemed like there were A LOT of things on it that I never covered (like matrices). I think I just didn't go as deep into the topics with my Honors class as someone taking this test should. I haven't prepared/reviewed any math this summer at all, but I still have like 3 weeks of summer left, so I could get a Barron's book and study my ass off for the next month and a half, but I'm not sure if it'd be worth it. I mean I guess I could just wait until Nov. to take it, to give myself more study time, but wouldn't that prevent me from applying ED/EA to schools?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So yeah. I know both have relatively generous curves, so that's definitely a plus. But the curve might not be generous enough :) I'm aiming for above a 700, and a 750 would just be amazing. I know anything higher definitely isn't happening. </p>

<p>Oh and, for the record, I tried taking the Math level 1 back in June, but i messed up real bad so i cancelled my score (but I got a 740 on the Math section of the SAT 1).</p>

<p>UGH. I'm sorry this post was so long, but you have no idea how much I appreciate you guys reading it. THANKS!</p>

2

<p>I think may be you should try the Physics, like you, I’ve been working on both. I always get above 700 and sometimes 800 whenever I take SAT 1 Math sections on pre tests. But SAT 2 math is a different world. I really am a math geek but when it comes to Math Level 2C, I always wish I could disappear for a while. The questions can be really hard, sometimes, I look at a question and I don’t even know what it is. And Level 1C, seems easy, but the truth is, a lot of students make a lot of careless mistakes when taking it. The questions seem clear and easy like a piece of cake but ironically, they’re tricky.
Physics, well, I studied it for 2 years in high school, and was pretty good at it. When I study SAT Physics, it is almost the same with high school stuff. The only thing we need to do to get a 800 on it is to study regularly. ( I don’t do that though lol. ) I guarantee that you can get a 750 that you want on Physics if you study regularly although I can’t say the same thing to the Math Level 2C thing. Well, good luck friend, wish me luck too. :)</p>

3

<p>Yeah I’m doing Physics. I went into my local bookstore the day I posted this, and took the barrons Math level 2 book over to the cafe to read it. I couldn’t answer the FIRST 3 questions in the diagnostic test. SO yeah that’s definitely not happening. Plus, i’m halfway done with the Princeton Review book, and I figure I have until November to study so I should be okay. Thank you so much for your advice too! It actually made my decision a lot easier. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>I got an 800 on MathII Chemistry and Physics.</p>

5

<p>^Cool story bro. But really, why don’t you give suggestions on how to achieve such great scores? </p>

<p>Nice Gekko reference by the way. Though I do believe it’s “sheep get slaughtered”…</p>

6

<p>^hahaha I was thinking the same thing. Like, ummm okay congratulations I guess.</p>